NAMES IN THE NEWS : Athlete Pays Tab for Role Models

SEATTLE — Seattle Mariners second baseman Harold Reynolds picked up the tab for more than 1,000 black athletes, politicians and community leaders attending a banquet to establish positive role models for black youths.

“The biggest thing is that a lot of troubled kids don’t have a man in their life that they can talk to and get encouragement from,” said Reynolds, who grew up without a father.

Sunday night’s dinner was organized by Role Models Unlimited, with Reynolds covering the $25,000 tab.

“I just want to get men together who can make a difference and see what can happen,” Reynolds said. “I think the answer to the problem is within these people. All I’m trying to do is get their attention.”